GOD S ANGER: RIGHTEOUS AND DESERVING

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1 1 GOD S ANGER: RIGHTEOUS AND DESERVING counsel self-study teaching cell group life The Bible conveys a very clear picture about God s demeanor towards sin. Romans 1:18 says, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and the unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Ephesians 5:5-6 says, For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater) has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Colossians 3:5-6 says, Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Discussing the outright rejection of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews warns, For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-27; 31). Without a doubt, God s wrath is something that cannot be ignored. God is angry. And his anger is not easily satisfied. Modern man overlooks this reality as he goes about life with an attitude the he or she deserves the mercy of God (i.e., How could God send someone to hell) when in reality the Bible points to the fact that all mankind truly deserves His justice (and wrath). So what does all of this have to do with one s struggle with anger? Three points will be made to answer this question: (1) God s wrath is satisfied only in the death of His own Son. (2) The only way anyone escapes His wrath is by the mercy of the living God. Finally, (3)

2 2 recalling our just desert, God s wrath, is a strong motivator to extend grace over anger when dealing with others. First, only one thing was worthy and acceptable to appease the wrath of the Holy God of Scripture: the brutal death of His only begotten Son. The Bible says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17). God, in his amazing love, chose to spare those in the world who would believe by willingly sending his own Son, Jesus Christ. His wrath, which is justly deserved by every human ever born to walk the Earth, could now be avoided through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross. Paul explains this well when he writes, For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God (Romans 5:5-9). Jesus bore God s wrath so that the believer would not have to. Therefore, God s grace has been revealed in that He has provided a way of escape and reconciliation to Himself through His precious Son. And he did this even though mankind remained his enemy (Romans 5:10). With this said, it is imperative to recognize that His grace extends far beyond simply providing a way in Jesus. He also graciously works in us (supernaturally) so that we may be saved through him. Paul writes: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all

3 3 once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:1-9). This stands as one of the most amazing passages in the entire Bible. Paul recounts the Christians former state as children of wrath living in the passions of our flesh. By nature, humans deserve His judgment and wrath. But Paul reveals something quite profound and glorious about God in response to this. He writes, But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. Amazing! Not only did God send His own Son, He also serves as the one who transforms the heart from death to life so that a person may have the capacity to turn from sin and to Jesus. Without such mercy, salvation would be impossible. Without a transforming of the heart, man would be destined to live the rest of his life, throughout all eternity, in rebellion, separated from the Lord. Paul goes on to explain that by grace and faith (both the gifts of God) man is saved. So God provided his son, his grace, and faith so that salvation may be realized for the believer. Conceptualizing redemption in this manner forces a person to recognize that he or she is completely indebted to God for his or her salvation, and that outside of his love and mercy (as cited above) his or her

4 4 fate would be nothing less than to receive the wrath due him/her (e.g., eternal damnation). Finally, this brief description of God s wrath, man s fate, God s mercy, and man s hope should serve as a convicting reminder that sinful anger has no place in the life of a Christian. God, the most holy, has chosen to forego His own wrath against His children when initially His children deserved nothing but His wrath. To consider the offenses that Christians daily commit against God, and the fact that he willingly honors the work of Jesus, and provides continual mercy and grace in response is staggering. When one compares the menial offenses experienced in this life by others to the continual offenses we commit against God, and the profound difference of His responses and ours, it gives reason for pause. It is an occasion to renew the mind with what God has provided in his Son, and His effectual working within the heart of man that alone prompts saving faith so that we may be humbled in our response to others. In reference to his mercy, we must worship him by extending the same love and kindness to those we may find most frustrating. In the end, when Jesus said, But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold from him your tunic either If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (Luke 6:27-29; 32), he was providing a reflection of what He and His Father were accomplishing in that very moment, pointing to His own suffering and the love he had for his enemies: those of us who are now called his own. (Romans 5:6-10) May we seek to imitate His goodness and mercy when tempted towards sinful anger against others.

5 5 CONCLUSION Therefore, when thinking of one s own struggle with anger, the believer is wise to consider (and continually reconsider) God s everlasting response to His offenders. Specifically, Christians should recall (1) the fact that they deserve the eternal fury of God, (2) that God by his own goodness, and by no merit on our parts, chose to forego his wrath against us, and sent his only begotten Son to bear the wrath we deserve, (3) that God not only sent His Son, but He actively works in the hearts of people so that they will gain the ability to come to Jesus Christ and commune with God, therefore escaping the wrath due them, and (4) that believers, above all other people on earth, possess a profound responsibility to imitate this pattern of kindness and mercy to those who have committed offenses against them.

6 6 COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Ask counselees to read Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:5-6, Colossians 3:5-6, and Hebrews 10: Discuss with them the wrath of God. Ask them if they believe this is what they would deserve when they were in their sins and trespasses. 2. Ask counselees to read John 3:16-17 and Romans 5:5-9. What is mankind s only hope to escape the wrath of God? Why is it significant to remember this in reference to one s struggle with sinful anger? 3. Read Ephesians 2:1-9. What was your counselees condition prior to God s mercy intervening? To whom does your counselee owe his or her praise for being made alive? Discuss the significance of this as it relates to the pride that often drives sinful anger. 4. Read Luke 6:27-29; 31. How do these passages reflect what God has done, and continues to do daily, in the lives of His own children? Discuss with your counselee how to imitate the passage with those in his or her life. What are the hurdles that will tend to frustrate these attempts (i.e., heart issues)? 5. Remind your counselee, as he or she reflects on the truths above, to take time daily to worship and thank God for his rich love and mercy. Encourage them to call upon Him to continue to transform his or her heart so that they may reflect the same love and mercy to others. COUNSELOR S PRAYER Holy Father. We acknowledge our just deserving of your wrath. We recognize that outside of your unmerited mercy and love, our lives would suffer the great horror of your judgment. Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus Christ, and the faith we need to believe upon Him. Help us daily to reflect your love and mercy to those in our own lives. Remind us as we deal with those who are difficult that they serve to reveal those things within our hearts that impede us from exemplifying You to the watching world. You alone deserve our praise. To You all glory belongs. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. By: Jeremy Lelek

7 7 Reference The Holy Bible, New International Version. (1984). Colorado Springs, CO: International Bible Society.